YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WYTV) — Colors exploded onto runners on Saturday as the “Happiest 5K on the Planet” kicked off in Youngstown.

The Color Run, which is an un-timed race in where thousands of participants, or “color runners,” get covered from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer they pass.

At this run, more than 6,000 runners showed up not just to run the race, but to help give back as well.

“We needed over 200 volunteers to help out today because we had over 6,000 runners. The people who were coming out were families, there were class reunions, there were wedding parties, all ages, shapes and sizes and that’s the thing- it was a healthy family event and just fun for everyone involved,” said JoAnn stock of Akron Children’s Hospital of the Mahoning Valley.

Since the Color Run first started in March of 2011, it has tripled in growth and now hosts more than 170 events in more than 30 countries.

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